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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 8:20am | IP Logged
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I am just wondering if anyone here is making different decisions due to the economy? I pulled out my old Tightwad Gazette issues for inspiration, and we are cutting where we can, and trying hard to really think about what's necessary and a good investment for the future and what isn't. Amy Dacyczyn's (the TG author) premise is that saving money often provides a better return than taking on an extra job (with all the extra expsenses related to it), and she makes a convincing argument. Often, economizing is a woman's domain, since we usually decide what groceries to buy and make the trips to Target, clothing purchases, etc.
What are you doing?
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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I got rid of my copy of Tightwad Gazette years ago. I am wishing I had it now. We are trying to cut back on our spending. I think this is an interesting topic and one close to my heart. I need to get my kiddos and myself on track now, but I hope to get back here later.
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mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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guitarnan
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Our thermostat is set to 80 degrees. (I am trying for 81, but humidity really makes that goal tough to reach.) I am washing and re-using plastic storage bags a la Tightwad Gazette. We are helping a friend clear his lot of dead trees in exchange for next winter's firewood (thermostat goal: 65!). I've introduced my dd to the joys of consignment shops (popular brands, barely worn, at a third to a quarter the price...). She loves shopping, so getting her to concentrate on value will save us lots of money!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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CandaceC
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 10:36am | IP Logged
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Things I have started doing in the past few months:
*making my own laundry detergent
*making my own dishwasher soap
*cooking and baking more regularly
*no more processed foods (this also goes hand in hand with our healthy living changes, but also helps with the budget!)
*not signing up for summer camps (like ballet, basketball, which we would have done otherwise)
*DH is carpooling to work, a 45 minute drive
*cloth napkins
I'm always looking for more ideas though!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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ladybugs
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Candace,
Wehn you have a moment, could you provide your recipe for the dishwasher soap?
Interestingly, today is the day I am going to try to make our own laundry detergent - what do you use for that?
I got a recipe from Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle's blog....would love to see your recipe, too...
Thank you in advance.
Also, in order to hang out our clothes, I am going to have each of the children make their own drying rack out of pvc piping.
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Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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MelissaClaire
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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Something that has helped us a lot is switching to a cash only grocery system. I saved a ton last month just by using cash. I took out a set amount at he beginning of the month, put it in an envelope and used only that. I came in well under. And the amount I took out was $160 LESS than what we spent the month before. So just buy using cash I spent $200 less last month on groceries.
I wrote a post about it on my blog:
link
my sister (seven2hold) wrote about her experience trying to feed her family of 10 on $100 a week here. She spent over $600 less just by using cash and tracking what she was spending.
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Melissa
Mom to a dd ('02), ds ('03), ds ('05), dd ('07) and baby due 9/01/09
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guitarnan
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 11:42am | IP Logged
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We find this to be true as well. Paying with cash really makes you think about where your money is going.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Mimip
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What a great thread!
We are really trying to only buy things on sale. What cripples me is the organic budget for food. I am extremely allergic to anything for preserving foods so it is really hard to just buy food at the grocery store when you can't marinade anything 
That all into consideration, we have really started to watch our expenses. I think that might make a huge difference with us. I am starting a spreadsheet and I am writing down everything I buy. I am trying to figure out how to put things into categories???? I am curious to see just how cheaply I can do the groceries. We had been shopping at 3 different stores but then after tracking my buying patterns realized that it was actually cheaper to just stick to the one main store and send hubby with cash and a list to the organic store 
We only have one car so that helps 
We also have started ordering online A LOT! This helps with temptation in the stores and our rule is that it has to be in the cart for at least 24 hours and both of us have to okay it. That helps with impulse buys oh and no automatic "one click buying" anymore 
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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CandaceC
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:52pm | IP Logged
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Maria,
My recipe for laundry detergent is here:
Laundry Detergent recipe
For the dishwasher here is what I've been doing. Put about 2 Tablespoons into the little detergent place in the dishwasher. Then, I pour 1 cup vinegar just into the bottom of the dishwasher and start it.
I tried a different recipe months ago that mixed several things and it didnt' work at all, so far this above is working great!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:54pm | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
I am just wondering if anyone here is making different decisions due to the economy? I pulled out my old Tightwad Gazette issues for inspiration,
What are you doing? |
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Books,
What a great thread.
And thanks for reminding me about this book. It's on my closet shelf...somewheres.
Melissa,
I'm loving your blog. How great!
We've had to cut back a lot too and don't eat out near as much. We also pay strictly cash for gas in the vehicles and are all driving economic cars and leave the family vehicle at home except when we need it.
There are a couple of small, local road trips planned this summer but basically we're staying home for the most part. And I've only signed the kids up in: Chelsea (babysitting class), both girls (VBS), and Garrett (tournament soccer---which he pd. for). We are not spending on camps or movies, etc. Everything we do is basically expense-free (or minimal).
We are also big into our garden project.
A pic for fun:
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Molly Smith
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I set up a budget last December in the style of America's Cheapest Family and it has been life-changing. I had to tweak the categories to fit our family, and then I set it up in a binder (I'm a paper-and-pencil budgeter) and log in each expenditure. I can open the binder to any category and see exactly how much money we can spend on something. Anything left at the end of the month accrues in that same category, and the great thing is that six months into the year I have a nice amount accrued for Christmas! If a category has carried over extra money for a month or two I don't mind switching it to my "miscellaneous" category or putting it in savings.
Can you tell I'm excited about finding something that finally clicks for me ? It may not work for everyone, but it is much easier for me than just trying to spend less than we make. That method left me knowing only how much money we had at the end of the month; it didn't help me plan for any future expenses.
I checked the book out from the library, so even though I linked to the amazon page try your library first and save the $10!
That said, I do use a vinegar and water cleaning solution for most things, have all but stopped buying processed food, drive less and generally live in "spend less" mode. We use cloths in the kitchen to limit our paper towel use (paper towels cost a fortune!). We also have leftover nights more for dinner. I used to eat leftovers for lunch, but it's cheaper to eat simply at lunch and save a dinner expense once or twice a week. Unfortunately I have a black thumb, so growing any of our own food is out. Hmmm...that's all that comes right to mind. I like hearing everyone's tips!
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joann10
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We are also definitely cutting back---cash for purchases is a biggie here---if we get away from that we get into trouble.
We will be trying for no air-conditioning this summer-being in central NY we may be cool or hot, but if the window air conditioners are in, we need to use them all the time, because in this "little house" it gets way to stuffy on when we can't open windows. We will be using window fans instead, because 90% of the time, it is cool at night, and the fans do the trick cooling the house.
We don't have any planned trips-the big kids are in a drama group, but have gotten scholarships for that. The rest of us will be enjoying a summer of backyard fun--we are debating about getting a state park pass, we have a few beautiful state parks and beaches nearby, so we may to that for our "big fun"
We also find the free summer movies, and free library programs, this seems to fill up our time nicely, without getting overwhelming.
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Bookswithtea
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We are doing a lot of the same things...washing baggies, using cloth instead of paper napkins/rags, going to cash only instead of debiting.
I have been watching that America's Cheapest Family book, wondering if it was worth the money. Molly, what about their system is different?
Candace, making laundry detergent is on my list of things I want to start doing, too! Ever since I saw the Duggars do it. I'm going ot check out your recipe.
I wonder if there are recipes for dishwasher detergent out there, too?
I am also going back to cloth diapers. Gee, don't I look excited about that???  But I know it will make a huge difference in the budget so it needs to be done.
I just got back from the vet. One of our cute little kitties we've had less than 10 days has an eye infection. That hour cost me $72!!! 
I don't suppose anyone has ideas for saving on vet bills????
ETA: Candace, in my defense, I didn't get this particuluar post in my email box, which is why I missed that you are already using a homemade recipe for dishwasher detergent. Feeling quite doofy right now... 
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Bookswithtea
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Mary Chris wrote:
| I got rid of my copy of Tightwad Gazette years ago. I am wishing I had it now. We are trying to cut back on our spending. I think this is an interesting topic and one close to my heart. I need to get my kiddos and myself on track now, but I hope to get back here later. |
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 You got rid of it??? Nothing inspires me as much as her books. They are funny and full of meat without being too serious, kwim? Besides, I like that she has 6 kids and that once they reached FI (Financial Freedom as defined in Your Money or Your Life...another great book to get at the library, btw) they quit the business and went back to real life.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Bookswithtea
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Some of the things I'm pondering right now are things like trying to determine if its worth it to keep a membership and drive to a Costco/Sam's type store for the incredible prices on things like cheese and butter when its 42 miles each way for us.
Also, I find myself waffling at times over decisions we made in the past regarding quality of food. We buy our meat from local families who raise the animals themselves (not certified organic or anything, but these are moms from my hs community) and we raise our own broilers. Not as cheap as loss leaders at the grocery store, but free of growth hormones and antibiotics and most grass fed.
Also, a lot of the really cheap/filling meals for a large family include lots of grains/beans/rice/pasta, which my waistline does not appreciate.
How do you make decisions about things like this?
Also, do you find your kids grumbly at all about it? Mine haven't so far, but if I cut activities in the fall due to gas prices, I need to find a way to tell them that encourages a team attitude about it, rather than whining, kwim?
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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MelissaClaire
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Diapers--
If you're only using cloth because it's cheaper-there are lots of way to get diapers on the cheap. I didn't pay a single cent for diapers for a year and a half and I had 2 in disposable diapers at the time just by working the sales. (I only use Pampers and Huggies since I get them the cheapest/free.) This Feb/March I broke that streak when I stocked up with over 55 bags of Huggies from Walgreens for just under $.75 a bag.
CVS had Pampers for $8.99 a bag last week with $5 extra care bucks back, so they were just $3.99 BEFORE any coupons you had. They often offer Pampers and Huggies deals.
If you buy Huggies you can get $.75 back per bag through caregiversmarketplace.com.
Walgreens often runs sales where you can get their store brands for $2.50 a bag.
Something I do quite regularly is diaper studies. They send you a free pack, have you use them for the week then call you back to get your survey results, then a few weeks later they mail you a check for $10 for taking the time to use them. So you MAKE money using them. The company that does them is called Arquest. Next week I'm starting a 6 week study with them where they'll send me 6 free bags of diapers to try for the next 6 weeks.
I don't know if they're still accepting people, but you can always ask to be put on their list of people to call.
1-888-342-7372 ext 634 for boys (Cheyla), and ext 646 for girls (Georgia). Give your name, number, size your child is wearing and they will call you back.
MENU PLANNING
That's something else that saves us lots. I plan a month's meals at a time based on what I have in the freezer and stockpiled in the pantry. If I already have something written down on the calendar I'm not tempted to go out or order take-out/delivery.
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Melissa
Mom to a dd ('02), ds ('03), ds ('05), dd ('07) and baby due 9/01/09
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Cay Gibson
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joann10 wrote:
The rest of us will be enjoying a summer of backyard fun-- |
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I love the way your termed that, Joann. 
Bookswithtea wrote:
I just got back from the vet. One of our cute little kitties we've had less than 10 days has an eye infection. That hour cost me $72!!!
I don't suppose anyone has ideas for saving on vet bills????
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Books,
I'm almost embarrassed to admit this because we've always had pets and always done our 6 months religiously at the vet for check-up, but times are what they are.
Basically we've stopped vet calls. These past two years we have taken our dogs to the Rabies Vaccine Day at City Hall for $5.00 a piece. We stopped heartworm meds on the 15 yr old house dog because:
1) she's a house dog
2) the vet told a friend of ours that her 13 yr old house dog only had a matter of a few years anyway so it wasn't necessary to dose her.
I give our dog 2 more years max (Kayleigh gives her 1 year), because she's a spry little thing. But we stopped the heartworm pills.
My oldest ds is still bringing his dog to the vet (he pays) and we split the cost of the heartworm pills on his hunting dog (he's about 4 yrs) and our big yard dog (she's 7 yrs).
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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JodieLyn
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farmers and ranchers do a lot of care for their animals.. it may be possible to get the meds etc without a trip to the vet.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Bookswithtea
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JodieLyn wrote:
| farmers and ranchers do a lot of care for their animals.. it may be possible to get the meds etc without a trip to the vet. |
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Yeah, this occurred to me on the way home. I can't believe all the people I know with goats, cows, dogs, barn cats, etc, are all running to the vet every time something happens. I need to figure out something if we are going to continue to add animals to our little homestead...
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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CandaceC
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Funny you mention the vet thing, there is a thread on the FIAR boards going right now called "frugality" and there are lots of these same ideas going over there.
Someone mentioned they give shots to their pets and it's cheaper to do it that way! I never knew! Not that I think I could give my pet a shot!
I was wondering about pets too...someone mentioned just not having pets. But, well, we're pretty attached to ours now and would have a hard time getting rid of them. 
We have 2 kittens just born a few months ago that need to be fixed. Soon. Already. But it's SO expensive. We live in a very small town where they don't have those nice clinics where you can walk in and just pay $20 or so. We're looking at $100 per pet I think??
There is one place about 45 minutes away but they use no pain meds. And I just can't bear that thought.
We haven't been going for regular shots with our cats anymore either. We just cannot afford it!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: economizing
